Our Team

Dr. Shamli Malik grew up in Long Island, New York. Her passion for animals started at a very young age. She started by volunteering at an Animal Shelter and then began working as an assistant at a local Animal hospital. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from the University of Connecticut. From there she went to Ross University for Veterinary school and finished her clinical year of Vet School at Texas A&M. During Veterinary school Dr. Malik had the opportunity to go to South Africa, where she developed a strong passion for conservation medicine.

Her desire for nature and beautiful weather has brought her to sunny San Diego. Dr. Malik has been practicing in small animal hospitals as a relief Veterinarian for the past 4 years. She has gained practice in emergency medicine and her particular areas of interest are in dermatology, internal medicine and preventative medicine.

When not working, Dr. Malik enjoys practicing and teaching yoga, reading, exercising, spending time with her friends and family, watching sunsets and traveling. She is also an avid hiker and has hiked the Inca Trail in Peru and recently completed the W Trek in Patagonia. She has an adorable dog named Juniper, who is a Shorgi-a mix of Corgi and Shih Tzu. Her goal is to provide the best available treatment to our furry companions with compassion and attention to detail. She is excited to serve this humbling community and hopes to bring more peace and joy to people and their pets through her work.

I grew up in Independence, Missouri, and had the rare blessing of
living my summers on a farm with my labrador, Casey, my Shetland pony,
Bob Cratchett and several other horses and ponies along with all the
wildlife that cared to show up at the cabin. My heart was always
drawn to the animals and their well-being.

Although it was always my dream to become a veterinarian, it wasn’t
until Casey died in my arms during my senior year in high school that
my dream transformed into determination. I felt so helpless not being
able to do something – anything – for my beloved dog. At that point, I
became even more determined to find a way to help each and every
animal who crossed my path. I’m certain it was that passion-fueled
determination which kept me focused through undergraduate college and
the tough pre-vet courses.

I attended the University of Missouri, Columbia and received my
bachelor’s degree in 1987. I graduated in 1991 with my Doctorate of
Veterinary Medicine degree. Shortly after graduation, I married Don
Pizzo and moved to Galveston, Texas where he was in graduate school. I
practiced veterinary medicine in Texas for four years before moving to
San Diego.

I currently live in Clairemont with my husband Don and share our home
with three black labs, Maverick, Apollo and Artemis. We also have two
cats, Phoenix and Shadow, adopted from The San Diego Humane Society.

I am blessed to have had a long career in companion animal medicine.
The field has many, many rewards, but with it comes a lot of
suffering, heartache and sometimes almost unbearable sadness. I
stepped away from the field for a little bit, but my love for the
animals and the love I have in seeing the human/animal bond has
brought me back. Bird Rock Animal Hospital has been wonderful in
getting me back into the field. The staff is amazing and they work as
a team in helping the animals and their caretakers. They are also
very good at lifting one another up as well as celebrating both the
big and little achievements each day.

I am grateful to continue working close to home and to have found a
hospital with a down home, family feeling with a great staff giving
knowledgeable and compassionate care to the animals.